Morgan Moves

Today Morgan's mommy let me borrow her for some background testing (just purchased two new backdrops recently, wanted to see their versatility). It worked out well since Morgan turns one in July, so these would also be her official one year pictures... and her first professional pictures ever!

Like many walkers, Morgan was often more interested in walking off the set than sitting still, or standing still... actually, she was more into the running than the walking. For one year, she's fast! We found that playing "chase Mommy" was a good way for action shots, giving me time for two snaps max between starting her at the backdrop and her running the 8 feet to the lights.

Yet despite the times she wanted to be in the Cheerios off the set, Morgan also gave us the opportunity for great moments of beautiful images! Enjoy your preview, and thanks for modeling for me Morgan!

Introducing... Canvas

For some time now I've been looking into canvas wall prints... I love canvas - there's something in the texture and the way the image stretches around the wood frame.. they're gorgeous wall art, lightweight, and don't need to be framed.

So I've been researching companies, and ordered a sample from one, which arrived in the mail today!

Its a 24x20 - though I can get sizes from 8x10 to 30x40 - my assistant Elizabeth is inspecting the quality of the piece in this photo to the right. It is also useful to show the scale of the piece - definitely larger than life.


I am going to be ordering a few more samples - something smaller in color, and its time to decide which image from my wedding is going above the fireplace in full color as a 30x40 canvas...

And I'm going to be holding an introductory sale on my canvases... just as soon as I pin down pricing... so watch the site for updates on that.

Edit: My darling DC wanted to show off his impression of the picture on the canvas as well this evening:

Giana... in the park

I met Giana and her mommy at the park today for the 'second half' of her 15 month shoot. With Giana being such an active toddler, I hoped that the interesting nature elements at the park - the rocks, the grass, and the water - would be a fun place for her to explore. And it was... but I'd also underestimated her hatred of the grass and ground with bare feet and how much she loves other people, especially other children.

So we started off in casual clothes, and got some pictures with Mommy once we found a mostly-kid free patch of grass and shade...
After that, we switched outfits, and managed to get a few barefoot pictures before Giana insisted we put her sandals on so she could go exploring... so we headed down to the water again...

Towards the end of our explorations I switched to Black and White... and suddenly it felt like I was photographing for a fashion magazine... I think this is where I found some of my favorite, and least traditional styled, images.
So Jenafer and Giana, thanks for spending the afternoon at the park with me. I had a lot of fun... and I hope you enjoyed your preview!

Giana - 15 Months

My godbaby Giana is now 15 months old... so it was time for a photo session!

She's been growing up so fast... today was the first day that she couldn't walk under our dining room table without the top of her head brushing up against the glass.

She's interested in everything - from the remotes and game controllers to the cupboards and the cats. The cats still aren't sure what to make of her. Two hide when she comes over, one plays with her when she has the fishing pole, and the last accepts her petting as long as it stays gentle.

She's also become quite the toddler - she wants to explore, to move, and to be independent. Sit still? No way! Stay in place for a few photos? Yeah, right! So we took lots of breaks for snacks and to wander about the house, talk to the kitties, and get into things. In between the breaks, we had some wonderful photo moments.

So here's a quick preview... "hippie Giana," "Classic Giana," "Vintage Giana." Enjoy!


And, of course, with Daddy too!

Vintage Teaser

Over the past month or so, I've been compiling outfits and items for the creation of a vintage set for special sessions. When complete, it will consist of outfits and props for children ages 6 months through 10 years or so... which will probably take a while as I'm combing thrift stores, ebay, and everywhere I can think of for the pieces, all of which will be unique.

Its not done yet, but I am so excited about it that I couldn't resist running a few tests... thanks Taylor and Nathan for being such great models!

Images shown are of the same pose, but processed for three different, distinct vintage styles.

1, 2, 3, Look at Me!

I've been photographing a lot of "sets of three" lately, which has been a lot of fun getting them all to interact with one another and just be siblings. My latest was the Tomé kids, who's sneak peak is right here:

1 - Camielle. Grown up at age six, but not too grown up to care about lost teeth or aways saying cheese. Never grow out of that!

2 - Ava. She's grown up so much this school year. At the beginning of the year she was shy, always hovering around her teacher at recess instead of playing... you'd never know the way she runs out to recess now!

3- Christian - All action, all boy. At one year he's running before he fully has his balance, just to see how far he can get. And when you go to take his picture, cheer and clap and he'll cheer right along with you!

Just a note: I'm currently offering free children's sessions to Creek parents who have purchased Spring Pictures so that they have the opportunity to get all their children, even those who are too old or too young to attend the preschool, photographed. This offer does expire on June 12, 2008 so any Creek parents who are interested in this need to schedule their on-site session asap.

The Best Tea Party Ever"

"It was the best tea party ever!"

That's what Taylor said as she danced along the sidewalk after her birthday party at Olivia's Dollhouse in Tustin, a big grin upon her face.

She's just spent the past two hours with seven of her school friends dressing up in princess clothes and jewelry, getting their hair and makeup done, participating in a fashion show, and having a tea party.

So here's a sneak preview from the party: